Storage apparatus casing with interchangeable disk drive and control boxes

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a casing for a storage apparatus having a first receiving portion for receiving a disc drive box in which a plurality of disc drives are received in a line, the first receiving portion being approximately equal in height and width to the disc drive box, and a second receiving portion for receiving a control portion box in which a plurality of control boards for executing a control relating to a data input and output process with respect to the disc drive are received in a line, the second receiving portion being approximately equal in height and width to the first receiving portion.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/765,108, filed Jan. 28, 2004, now allowed, the entirety of which isincorporated herein by reference.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

JP-A-2003-172536 applied on Jun. 17, 2003 in Japan is cited to supportthe present invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a casing for a storage apparatus and astorage apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is desired that a storage apparatus used as a memory device in aninformation processing system is flexibly structured from a small-scalestructure to a large-scale structure in correspondence to the needs ofusers.

Accordingly, a storage apparatus can be generally changed to a scalecorresponding to the user's needs by structuring a drive unit forreceiving a disc drive and a control unit receiving a control portionfor executing a control of an entire storage apparatus as theindependent casings, and adding the drive unit as occasion demands.

Further, in the case of the small-scale structure in which the number ofthe onboard disc drives is small, there is a case that the storageapparatus is structured as an all-in-one unit in which minimum functionsare received in one casing.

The apparatus structure mentioned above is described, for example, inJP-A-5-204493.

However, in the conventional storage apparatus, the casings for thecontrol unit, the drive unit and the all-in-one unit are respectivelymanufactured for exclusive use. Accordingly, for example, in the casethat the small-scale storage apparatus using the all-in-one unit ischanged to the large-scale storage apparatus using the control unit andthe drive unit, the casing for the all-in-one unit which has beenemployed can not be used. Further, since it is necessary to manufacturethe different kinds of casing, a cost increase of the storage apparatusis caused.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is made by taking the problem mentioned above intoconsideration, and a main object of the present invention is to providea casing for a storage apparatus and a storage apparatus.

In order to achieve the problem mentioned above, in accordance with thepresent invention, there is provided a casing for a storage apparatuscomprising:

a first receiving portion for receiving a disc drive box in which aplurality of disc drives are received in a line, the first receivingportion being approximately equal in height and width to the disc drivebox; and

a second receiving portion for receiving a control portion box in whicha plurality of control boards for executing a control relating to a datainput and output process with respect to the disc drive are received ina line, the second receiving portion being approximately equal in heightand width to the first receiving portion.

It is preferable that the casing for the storage apparatus is providedwith a third receiving portion for receiving a power source portion forsupplying an electric power to the control board and the disc drive, andthe third receiving portion is provided in a lower portion of the secondreceiving portion.

Further, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided astorage apparatus comprising:

the casing for the storage having the structure mentioned above;

a plurality of the disc drives received in the disc drive box receivedin the first receiving portion;

a plurality of the control boards received in the control portion boxreceived in the second receiving portion; and

the power source portion received in the third receiving portion.

Further, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided astorage apparatus comprising:

a plurality of casings for the storage apparatus having the structurementioned above,

wherein in one of the casing for the storage apparatus, the disc drivebox in which a plurality of the disc drives are received is received inthe first receiving portion, the control portion box in which aplurality of the control boards are received is received in the secondreceiving portion, and the power source portion is received in the thirdreceiving portion, and in the other of the casing for the storageapparatus, the disc drive box in which a plurality of the disc drivesare received is received in each of the first receiving portion and thesecond receiving portion, and the power source portion is received inthe third receiving portion.

In the storage apparatus mentioned above, it is preferable that theelectric power to the control board and the disc drive by the powersource portion is a direct current electric power having a uniform ratedvoltage.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following description of the embodiments of theinvention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing an outer appearance structure of a conventionalstorage apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a view showing the outer appearance structure of theconventional storage apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a view showing a detailed structure of a control unit of theconventional storage apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a view showing a detailed structure of a drive unit of theconventional storage apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a view showing a detailed structure of an all-in-one unit ofthe conventional storage apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a view for comparing the control unit and the drive unit ofthe conventional storage apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a view for comparing a control portion box and a disc drivebox of the conventional storage apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a view showing an outer appearance of a storage apparatus inaccordance with the present embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a view showing the outer appearance of the storage apparatusin accordance with the present embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining a detailed structure of the storageapparatus in accordance with the present embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a view for showing a state in which a control portion box isreceived in a control unit of the storage apparatus in accordance withthe present embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a view for showing a state in which a disc drive box isreceived in a drive unit of the storage apparatus in accordance with thepresent embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a view for comparing the control unit and the drive unit ofthe storage apparatus in accordance with the present embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a view for comparing the control portion box and the discdrive box of the storage apparatus in accordance with the presentembodiment;

FIG. 15 is a view showing a detailed structure of the control unit ofthe storage apparatus in accordance with the present embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a view showing a detailed structure of the drive unit of thestorage apparatus in accordance with the present embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a view for explaining a cooling structure for the controlunit of the conventional storage apparatus;

FIG. 18 is a view for explaining a cooling structure for the drive unitof the conventional storage apparatus;

FIG. 19 is a view for explaining a cooling structure for the controlunit of the storage apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a view for explaining the cooling structure for the controlunit of the storage apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a view for explaining the cooling structure for the controlunit of the storage apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a view for explaining a cooling structure for the drive unitof the storage apparatus in accordance with the present embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a view showing a rectifier stack provided in the storageapparatus in accordance with the present embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a view showing the rectifier stack provided in the storageapparatus in accordance with the present embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a view for explaining a bus bar provided in the conventionalstorage apparatus;

FIG. 26 is a view for explaining the bus bar provided in theconventional storage apparatus;

FIG. 27 is a view for explaining a bus bar provided in the storageapparatus in accordance with the present embodiment; and

FIG. 28 is a view for explaining the bus bar provided in the storageapparatus in accordance with the present embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A description will be in detail given below of an embodiment inaccordance with the present invention with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

First, a description will be given of a summary of an outer appearanceof a conventional storage apparatus 1100 with reference to FIGS. 1 and2.

The conventional storage apparatus 1100 shown in FIG. 1 is provided witha control unit 1110 and a drive unit 1120. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, the control unit 1110 is arranged in the center, and the driveunits 1120 are arranged in the right and left of the control unit 1110.

The control unit 1110 controls an entire of the storage apparatus 1100.A logic portion 1420 controlling the entire of the storage apparatus1100 is received in the control unit 1110, details thereof beingdescribed later. Further, a disc drive 1310 for storing data is receivedin the drive unit 1120. In the case of enlarging the scale of thestorage apparatus 1100, the drive unit 1120 is added. Accordingly, it ispossible to flexibly change a storage capacity of the storage apparatus1100 in correspondence to the user's needs, and it is possible toprovide the storage apparatus 1100 having a high scalability. As thedisc drive 1310, it is possible to employ various apparatuses, forexample, a hard disc device, a semiconductor memory device and the like.

On the other hand, the conventional storage apparatus 1100 shown in FIG.2 is provided with an all-in-one unit 1130 in which the logic portion1420 controlling the entire, and the disc drive 1310 for storing thedata are received. The storage apparatus 1100 having the structure shownin FIG. 2 is structured such that minimum functions for the storageapparatus 1100 are received in one casing. FIG. 2 shows a view in thecase that the storage apparatus 1100 is seen from a side in which thelogic portion 1420 is received. The disc drive 1310 is received in anopposite side to the logic portion 1420. In the following description,the side in which the logic portion 1420 is received is also called as afront face side. Further, the side in which the disc drive 1310 isreceived is also called as a rear face side.

Next, a description will be given below of a detailed structure of eachof the conventional storage apparatuses 1100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 withreference to six-elevational views and front elevational views shown inFIGS. 3 to 6. FIG. 3 is a six-elevational view showing the control unit1110, FIG. 4 is a six-elevational view showing the drive unit 1120, andFIG. 5 is a six-elevational view showing the all-in-one unit 1130. FIG.6 is a view for comparing the control unit 1110, the drive unit 1120 andthe all-in-one unit 1130.

First, a description will be given of a structure of the control unit1110 with reference to FIGS. 3 and 6.

The control unit 1110 is structured such that a logic module 1400, apower source module 1900, a fan 1500 and a battery 1800 are received inthe control unit casing 1200. Further, an operator panel 1111 foraccepting a control input applied by an operator maintaining the storageapparatus 1100 is provided in the control apparatus 1110.

The logic module 1400 is detachably received in the control unit casing1200. The logic module 1400 is provided with the logic portion 1420 forcontrolling the storage apparatus 1100, and a logic module fan 1410. Alogic substrate 1430 is attached to the logic portion 1420, wherebyvarious controls of the storage apparatus 1100 are executed. The logicsubstrate 1430 attached to the logic portion 1420 includes, for example,a channel adapter for communicating for inputting and outputting datawith respect to the information processing apparatus utilizing thestorage apparatus 1100 as the memory device, a disc adapter forexecuting an input-output processing with respect to the data stored inthe disc drive 1310, a cash memory for storing the data given andreceived with respect to the information processing apparatus, and thelike. The logic module fan 1410 discharges the air in an inner portionof the logic portion 1420. Accordingly, it is possible to cool the innerportion of the logic portion 1420. The air discharged from the logicportion 1420 is discharged to the outer portion of the control unit 1110through an inner portion of the power source module 1900 by a fan 1500,details thereof being described later.

The power source module 1900 is detachably received in the control unitcasing 1200. The power source module 1900 is provided with a powersource unit for converting an ac power into a dc power, and supplyingthe dc power to the logic module 1400. Since it is necessary to supply aplurality of dc powers having different voltages to the logic module1400 in correspondence to intended uses, the power source module 1900 isprovided with the power source units in correspondence to the respectivevoltages. For example, the power source unit outputting the dc powerhaving a rated voltage 12V is provided for the logic module fan 1410.Further, the power source units outputting the dc powers having ratedvoltages 5V and 3.3 V are provided for the logic substrate 1430.

The fan 1500 discharges the air in the inner portion of the control unit1110 to the outer portion. Accordingly, it is possible to discharge theheat generated in the power source module 1900 and the logic module 1400to the outer portion of the control unit 1110.

The battery 1800 corresponds to an auxiliary power source module forsupplying a power to each of the devices in the inner portion of thecontrol unit 1110, at a time of a power outage or at an abnormal time ofthe power source module 1900.

As shown in FIG. 3, the power source module 1900, the logic module 1400and the battery 1800 are respectively received in an upper stage, amiddle stage and a lower stage of the control unit casing 1200. Further,in a rear face side of the control unit casing 1200, in the same manner,the power source module 1900, the logic module 1400 and the battery 1800are respectively received in the upper stage, the middle stage and thelower stage.

Next, a description will be given of the structure of the drive unit1120 of the conventional storage apparatus 1100 with reference to FIGS.4 and 6.

The drive unit 1120 is structured such that a disc drive module 1300, anAC-BOX 1700 and the fan 1500 are received in a drive unit casing 1210.

The disc drive module 1300 is detachably received in the drive unitcasing 1210. The disc drive module 1300 receives a disc drive 1310 forstoring the data, a DC power source 1600 and a port bypass circuit (PBC)1320. The disc drive 1310 corresponds to an apparatus for storing thedata, and is provided with a recording medium in an inner portion. Thedisc drive 1310 can employ various apparatuses, for example, a hard discdevice, a semiconductor memory device and the like. The DC power source1600 corresponds to a power source unit for converting the ac power intothe dc power, and supplying the dc power to the disc drive 1310. The PBC1320 corresponds to an apparatus for controlling a communication pathbetween the logic portion 1420 provided in the control unit 1110 and thedisc drive 1310.

The AC-BOX 1700 corresponds to an intake for the ac power with respectto the storage apparatus 1100, and functions as a breaker. The ac powertaken in the AC-BOX 1700 is supplied to the DC power source 1600 of thedisc drive module 1300, and the power source module 1900 of the controlunit 1110.

The fan 1500 discharges the air in the inner portion of the drive unit1120 to the outer portion. Accordingly, it is possible to discharge theheat generated in the disc drive module 1300 to the outer portion of thedrive unit 1120.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the disc drive modules 1300 arereceived in a state of being laminated in four stages within the driveunit casing 1210. Further, the fan 1500 is provided in an upper portionof the disc drive module 1300, and the AC-BOX 1700 is provided in alower portion thereof. Further, in a rear face side of the drive unitcasing 1210, in the same manner, the disc drive modules 1300 arereceived in a state of being laminated in four stages, the fan 1500 isprovided in an upper portion thereof, and the AC-BOX 1700 is provided ina lower portion thereof.

Next, a description will be given of the all-in-one unit 1130 of theconventional storage apparatus 1100 with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

The all-in-one unit 1130 is structured such that the logic module 1400,the power source module 1900, the fan 1500 and the battery 1800 arereceived in a front face side of an all-in-one unit casing 1220, and thedisc drive module 1300, the AC-BOX 1700 and the fan 1500 are received ina rear face side. The modules are respectively the same as thosereceived in the control unit 1110 and the drive unit 1120. Further,receiving positions of the modules are respectively the same as those inthe control unit 1110 and the drive unit 1120. Further, in the samemanner as the control unit 1110 and the drive unit 1120, the respectivemodules are detachably received in the all-in-one unit casing 1220.

In the all-in-one unit 1130, since the respective modules received inthe control unit 1110 and the drive unit 1120 are received in theall-in-one unit casing 1220, as mentioned above, the storage apparatus1100 can be structured by the all-in-one unit 1130.

Next, a description will be given of differences among the control unit1110, the drive unit 1120 and the all-in-one unit 1130 described abovewith reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. In this case, a view shown in a leftside in FIG. 6 illustrates the control unit 1110, and the same matter isapplied to the front face side of the all-in-one unit 1130. Further, aview shown in a right side in FIG. 6 illustrates the drive unit 1120,and the same matter is applied to the rear face side of the all-in-oneunit 1130. Accordingly, the differences among the control unit 1110, thedrive unit 1120 and the all-in-one unit 1130 can be explained bydescribing the difference between the control unit 1110 and the driveunit 1120 shown in FIG. 6.

The control unit 1110 is largely sectioned into the upper stage, themiddle stage and the lower stage. The power source module 1900 isreceived in the upper stage, the logic module 1400 is received in themiddle stage, and the battery 1800 is received in the lower stage. Thecontrol unit casing 1200 for receiving the respective modules and thelike is provided with an upper partition portion 1201 and a lowerpartition portion 1202, and the respective modules and the like arereceived in a sectioned manner by the partition portions.

The drive unit 1120 is structured such that the disc drive modules 1300are laminated in four stages, the fan 1500 is arranged in the upperportion thereof and the AC-BOX 1700 is arranged in the lower portionthereof. Further, the disc drives 1310 respectively received in the discdrive modules 1300 are received in a state of being laminated in fourstages. The drive unit casing 1210 for receiving the respective modulesand the like is provided with an upper partition portion 1211, a middlepartition portion 1 (1212), a middle partition portion 2 (1213) and alower partition portion 1214, and the respective modules and the likeare received in a sectioned manner by the partition portions. In thiscase, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, no partition portion isprovided between the fan 1500 and the disc drive module 1300, however,the partition portion may be provided.

As shown in FIG. 6, the position of the partition portion is differentbetween the control unit casing 1200 and the drive unit casing 1210. Oneof the reasons is that a height and a width of the logic module 1400 arerespectively different from a height and a width of the disc drivemodule 1300, as shown in FIG. 7.

Accordingly, in the conventional storage apparatus 1100, it is necessaryto manufacture the control unit casing 1200, the drive unit casing 1210and the all-in-one unit casing 1220 respectively for exclusive use, andit is necessary for the user operating and controlling the storageapparatus 1100 to buy the new casing at a time of changing the structureof the storage apparatus 1100. Accordingly, it is required to make thecasings for the storage apparatuses 1100 in common.

In the storage apparatus 100 in accordance with the present embodiment,a casing for the storage apparatus 100 (a storage apparatus casing) 200is designed to be in common. First, an outer appearance structure of thestorage apparatus 100 in accordance with the present embodiment is shownin FIGS. 8 and 9.

The storage apparatus 100 in accordance with the present embodimentshown in FIG. 8 is provided with a control unit 110 and a drive unit120. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 110 is arrangedin the center, and the drive units 120 are arranged in the right andleft of the control unit 110.

The control unit 110 controls an entire of the storage apparatus 100. Alogic portion 420 controlling the entire of the storage apparatus 100 isreceived in the control unit 110, details thereof being described later.Further, a disc drive 310 for storing data is received therein. Further,a DC power source 600, a battery 800 and an AC-BOX 700 are also receivedtherein. A rear face side of the control unit 110 is structured in thesame manner.

On the other hand, the disc drive 310 for storing the data is receivedin the drive unit 120. Further, the DC power source 600, the battery 800and the AC-BOX 700 are also received therein. A rear face side of thedrive unit 120 is structured in the same manner. In the case ofenlarging the scale of the storage apparatus 100, the drive unit 120 isadded. Accordingly, it is possible to flexibly change a memory capacityof the storage apparatus 100 in correspondence to the user's needs, andit is possible to provide the storage apparatus 100 having a highscalability.

Further, the storage apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 9 is provided with anall-in-one unit 130 in which the logic portion 420 controlling theentire, the disc drive 310 for storing the data, the DC power source600, the battery 800, and the AC-BOX 700 are received. The storageapparatus 100 having the structure shown in FIG. 9 is structured suchthat minimum functions for the storage apparatus 100 are received withinone casing. A rear face side is structured in the same manner. Theall-in-one unit 130 in accordance with the present embodiment isstructured in the same manner as the control unit 110 shown in FIG. 8.

Next, a description will be given of the way how the control unit 110,the drive unit 120 and the all-in-one unit 130 are respectivelystructured by using the common casing 200, with reference to FIGS. 10 to12.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a structure which is in common with thecontrol unit 110, the drive unit 120 and the all-in-one unit 130. Inother words, a disc drive module (a disc drive box) 300 in which aplurality of disc drives 310 are received in a state of being aligned isreceived in an upper stage (a first receiving portion) of the casing200, and the battery 800, the AC-BOX 700 and the DC power source 600 arereceived in a lower stage (a third receiving portion). In this case, thebattery 800, the AC-BOX 700 and the DC power source 600 correspond tothe power source portion. Of course, the power source portion may bestructured by at least any one of these elements, or may include anyother constituting elements than these elements. Further, a fan 500 isarranged in an upper portion of the disc drive module 300. In the caseof the control unit 110 or the all-in-one unit 130, a logic module (acontrol portion box) 400 is received in a middle stage (a secondreceiving portion), and in the case of the drive unit 120, the discdrive module 300 is received in the middle stage.

AS mentioned above, a height and a width of the upper stage of thecasing 200 are respectively formed so as to be approximately equal tothe height and the width of the disc drive module 300, so that the discdrive module 300 can be received in the upper stage.

In this case, the disc drive module 300 in the upper stage is detachablyreceived in the casing 200. Further, the disc drive 310 is detachablyreceived in the disc drive module 300. The battery 800, the AC-BOX 700and the DC power source 600 in the lower stage are detachably receivedin the casing 200.

The upper stage, the middle stage and the lower stage of the casing 200are sectioned by an upper partition portion 201 and a lower partitionportion 202.

The control unit 110 and the all-in-one unit 130 can be structured byreceiving the logic module 400 in the middle stage of the casing 200.The state is shown in FIG. 11.

Further, the drive unit 120 can be structured by receiving the discdrive module 300 in the middle stage of the casing 200. The state isshown in FIG. 12. The disc drive module 300 received in the middle stageof the casing 200 is the same as the disc drive module 300 received inthe upper stage of the casing 200.

In the casing 200 in accordance with the present embodiment, the upperstage and the middle stage are formed such that the heights and thewidths are approximately equal to each other, respectively. Accordingly,not only the logic module 400, but also the disc drive module 300 can bereceived in the middle stage.

Accordingly, for example, in the case of enlarging the scale of thestorage apparatus 100, the casing 200 which is used for the all-in-oneunit 130 can be utilized for the drive unit 120. In this case, FIGS. 11and 12 shows the embodiment in the case that both of the logic module400 and the disc drive module 300 can be received in the middle stage ofthe casing 200, however, the structure may be made such that both themodules can be received in the upper stage in addition to the middlestage of the casing 200. Further, the structure can be made such thatonly the middle stage or only the upper stage can receive both themodules.

As mentioned above, in the present embodiment, each of the control unit110, the drive unit 120 and the all-in-one unit 130 can be structured byusing the common casing 200.

In the storage apparatus 100 in accordance with the present embodiment,FIG. 13 shows the structure in which the upper stage and the middlestage of the casing 200 are formed such that the heights and the widthsare approximately equal to each other. Further, FIG. 14 shows a view forcomparing the heights and the widths of the logic module 400 and thedisc drive module 300. Further, FIG. 15 shows a six-elevational viewillustrating a detailed structure of the control unit 110 and theall-in-one unit 130. Further, FIG. 16 shows a six-elevational viewillustrating a detailed structure of the drive unit 120.

First, a description will be given of the structures of the control unit110 and the all-in-one unit 130 in accordance with the presentembodiment, with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15.

The control unit 110 and the all-in-one unit 130 are structured suchthat the logic module 400, the disc drive module 300, the DC powersource 600, the AC-BOX 700, the battery 800 and the fan 500 are receivedin the casing 200. Further, the control unit 110 and the all-in-one unit130 are provided with an operator panel 111 for accepting a controlinput applied by an operator maintaining the storage apparatus 100.

As described by using FIG. 11, the logic module 400 is detachablyreceived in the casing 200. The logic module 400 is provided with thelogic portion 420 for controlling the storage apparatus 100, and a logicmodule fan 410. A logic substrate (a control board for executing acontrol relating to a data inputting and outputting process with respectto the disc drive) 430 is received in the logic portion 420 detachablyin a aligned manner, whereby various controls of the storage apparatus100 are executed. The logic substrate 430 received in the logic portion420 includes, for example, a channel adapter for communicating forinputting and outputting data with respect to the information processingapparatus utilizing the storage apparatus 100 as the memory device, adisc adapter for executing an input-output processing with respect tothe data stored in the disc drive 310, a cash memory for storing thedata given and received with respect to the information processingapparatus, and the like. In this case, the logic substrates 430 are notonly received in the logic portion 420 in such a manner that all of thelogic substrates 430 are aligned in the same direction, as shown in FIG.13 or 11, but also can be received, for example, in such a manner thatthe logic substrate 430 aligned in a vertical direction and the logicsubstrate 430 aligned in a horizontal direction are mixed.

The logic module fan 410 discharges the air in an inner portion of thelogic portion 420. Accordingly, it is possible to cool the inner portionof the logic portion 420. The air discharged from the logic portion 420is discharged to the outer portion of the control unit 110 and theall-in-one unit 130 through an inner portion of an air duct (a duct) 210provided in the inner portion of the casing 200, by a fan 500, detailsthereof being described later.

The disc drive module 300 is detachably received in the casing 200. Thedisc drive module 300 receives a disc drive 310 for storing the data.The disc drive 310 corresponds to an apparatus for storing the data, andis provided with a recording medium in an inner portion. The disc drive310 can employ various apparatuses, for example, a hard disc device, asemiconductor memory device and the like. As shown in FIG. 13, the discdrives 310 are received in the disc drive module 300 in accordance withthe present embodiment in a state in which the disc drives 310 arelaminated in eight stages. Accordingly, the height of the disc drivemodule 300 in accordance with the present embodiment can be madeapproximately the same as the height of the logic module 400.

The fan 500 discharges the air in the inner portion of the control unit110 or the all-in-one unit 130 to the outer portion. Accordingly, it ispossible to discharge the heat generated in the disc drive module 300and the logic module 400 to the outer portion of the control unit 110and the all-in-one unit 130. In this case, the control unit 110 and theall-in-one unit 130 are provided with the air duct 210 in the innerportion thereof, details thereof being mentioned later. The air in theinner portion of the logic module 400 received in the middle stage ofthe casing 200 is discharged to the outer portion of the control unit110 and the all-in-one unit 130 through the inner portion of the airduct 210 by the fan 500.

The DC power source 600, the AC-BOX 700 and the battery 800 are receivedin the lower portion (the third receiving portion) of the casing 200(the DC power source 600, the AC-BOX 700 and the battery 800 correspondto the power source portion). The power source portion is detachablyreceived in the casing 200. The DC power source 600 is provided with apower source unit for converting the ac power to the dc power andsupplying the dc power to the logic module 400 and the disc drive 310.The logic module 400 and the disc drive 310 are respectively actuated bythe dc powers having the different voltages, in the same manner as thatof the conventional storage apparatus 1100, however, in the presentembodiment, the dc power having the same rated voltage is supplied fromthe DC power source 600 to the logic module 400 and the disc drive 310.Further, the logic module 400 and the disc drive 310 to which the powerhaving the same voltage is supplied respectively convert the voltageinto their respective voltages by a voltage converting apparatus (aDC/DC converter) provided in the inner portion thereof.

Further, in the control unit 110 and the all-in-one unit 130 inaccordance with the present embodiment, the DC power source 600 forsupplying the dc power to the disc drive 310 is received in the lowerstage of the casing 200. Accordingly, since the DC power source 1600which is conventionally received in the disc drive module 1300 can beremoved from the disc drive module 1300, it is possible to make thewidth of the disc drive module 300 approximately equal to the width ofthe logic module 400 in accordance with the present embodiment,

The battery 800 corresponds to an auxiliary power source apparatus forsupplying the power to each of the devices in the inner portion of thecontrol unit 110 and the all-in-one unit 130 at a time of a power outageor at an abnormal time of the DC power source 600.

The AC-BOX 700 corresponds to an intake for the ac power with respect tothe storage apparatus 100, and functions as a breaker. The ac powertaken in the AC-BOX 700 is supplied to the DC power source 600.

As mentioned above, in the control unit 110 and the all-in-one unit 130in accordance with the present embodiment, the power source portions areput together in the lower portion of the casing 200. Accordingly, it isunnecessary to arrange the wiring for the ac power in the inner portionsof the control unit 110 and the all-in-one unit 130.

Further, since the voltage converting apparatus is provided in the innerportions of the logic module 400 and the disc drive 300, it isunnecessary to arrange the wiring for supplying the ac powers having thedifferent voltages in the inner portions of the control unit 110 and theall-in-one unit 130. Accordingly, it is possible to simplify the wirearrangement within the casing 200, and it is possible to makemanufacturing, maintaining and repairing the storage apparatus 100 easyand improve a safety. Further, since it is possible to make it hard tobe exposed to the influence with respect to the noise, it is possible toimprove a reliability of the storage apparatus 100.

A state thereof will be shown in FIGS. 25 to 28. FIGS. 25 to 28 areviews showing a state in which the powers having a plurality of ratedvoltages are supplied from the power source module 1900 to the logicmodule 1400, in the conventional all-in-one unit 1130. In this case,FIGS. 25 and 26 show an embodiment of the case of the all-in-one unit1130, however, the same matter is applied to the control unit 1110.

As shown in FIG. 26, the power is supplied from the power source module1900 to the logic module 1400 by connecting a power source modulesubstrate 1910 to a logic module substrate 1440 by a bus bar 1610. Thebus bar 1610 corresponds to a metal plate for supplying the power fromthe power source module 1900 to the logic module 1400. Since the greatpower is supplied from the power source module 1900 to the logic module1400, a current-carrying capacity comes short in the normal wireharness. Accordingly, the power is supplied by employing the metal platesuch as the bus bar 1610. The power source module substrate 1910 isarranged in the innermost side of the upper stage of the all-in-one unitcasing 1220 together with a power source module reinforcing plate 1920.In the case of the control unit casing 1200, the power source modulesubstrate 1910 is arranged in a rear face side in the same manner inaddition to the front face side. When the power source module 1900 isreceived in the all-in-one unit casing 1220, an electric connectorprovided in the power source module 1900 is fitted to an electricconnector provided in the power source module substrate 1910. On theother hand, the logic module substrate 1440 is arranged in the innermostside in the middle stage of the all-in-one unit casing 1220 togetherwith a logic module reinforcing plate 1450. In the case of the controlunit casing 1200, the logic module substrate 1440 is arranged in a rearface side in the same manner in addition to the front face side. Whenthe logic module 1400 is received in the all-in-one unit casing 1220, anelectric connector provided in the logic module 1400 is fitted to anelectric connector provided in the logic module substrate 1440. Asmentioned above, it is possible to electrically connect the power sourcemodule 1900 and the logic module 1400 to each other. Further, it ispossible to supply the power from the power source module 1900 to thelogic module 1400. As mentioned above, it is conventionally necessary tosupply a plurality of voltages to the logic module 1400. Accordingly, asshown in FIG. 26, the kinds and the number of the bus bar 1610 forconnecting the power source module substrate 1910 to the logic modulesubstrate 1440 are increased, and the arrangement of the bus bar 1610 isrequired to be designed. As shown in FIG. 26, there is a case that it isnecessary to arrange the long bus bar 1610 up to the side surfaceportion between the power source module substrate 1910 and the logicmodule substrate 1440.

FIG. 25 shows a state in which the power source module 1900 and thelogic module 1400 are connected therebetween by the bus bar 1610 in theinner portion of the conventional all-in-one unit 1130. As shown in FIG.25, in the conventional all-in-one unit 1130, the power source module1900 is received in the upper stage of the all-in-one unit casing 1220,and the logic module 1400 is received in the middle stage. Accordingly,since there is established a positional relation that the logic modulefan 1410 is arranged between the power source module 1900 and the logicmodule 1400, it is unavoidable that the length of the bus bar 1610 isincreased at such a degree that the logic module fan 1410 is heldtherebetween.

On the other hand, in the all-in-one unit 130 in accordance with thepresent embodiment, the DC power source 600 is received in the lowerstage of the casing 200, and the logic module 400 is received in themiddle stage thereof. In the all-in-one unit 130 in accordance with thepresent embodiment, the power is supplied from the DC power source 600to the logic module 400 by using the bus bar 610. However, since the DCpower source 600 is received in the lower portion of the logic module400, as shown in FIG. 27, it is possible to avoid the positionalrelation that the logic module fan 410 is arranged between the logicmodule 400 and the DC power source 600. Accordingly, it is possible toshorten the length of the bus bar 610.

Further, as shown in FIG. 28, in the all-in-one unit 130 in accordancewith the present embodiment, a logic module substrate 440 and a DC powersource substrate 910 are connected therebetween by the bus bar 610.Further, the DC power source substrate 910 is arranged in the innermostside of the lower stage of the casing 200 together with a DC powersource reinforcing plate 920. The DC power source substrate 910 isarranged in a rear face side in the same manner in addition to the frontface side. Further, when the DC power source 600 is received in thecasing 200, the electric connector provided in the DC power source 600is fitted to the electric connector provided in the power sourcesubstrate 1910. On the other hand, the logic module substrate 440 isarranged in the innermost side of the middle stage of the casing 200together with a logic module reinforcing plate 450. The logic modulesubstrate 440 is arranged in a rear face side in the same manner inaddition to the front face side. Further, when the logic module 400 isreceived in the casing 200, the electric connector provided in the logicmodule 400 is fitted to the electric connector provided in the logicmodule substrate 440. In the manner mentioned above, the DC power source600 and the logic module 400 are electrically connected to each other.Further, the power is supplied from the DC power source 600 to the logicmodule 400.

As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, in the present embodiment, the number ofthe bus bar 610 can be reduced in comparison with the conventional one.Further, the length of the buss bar 610 can be shortened. This isbecause in the storage apparatus 100 in accordance with the presentembodiment, the voltage of the dc power supplied from the DC powersource 600 to the logic module 400 is set to one kind, and the DC powersource 600 is received in the lower portion of the logic module 400, asmentioned above.

Next, a description will be given of a structure of the drive unit 120in accordance with the present embodiment with reference to FIGS. 13 to16.

The drive unit 120 is structured such that the disc drive module 300,the DC power source 600, the AC-BOX 700, the battery 800 and the fan 500are received in the casing 300. The respective modules and the like arethe same as those employed in the control unit 110 and the all-in-oneunit 130. In the storage apparatus 100 in accordance with the presentembodiment, all of the control unit 110, the drive unit 120 and theall-in-one unit 130 are structured by using the common casing 200.Further, in the drive unit 120, the disc drive module 300 can bereceived in the middle stage of the casing 200 in which the logic module400 is received in the control unit 110. This is because in the presentembodiment, the height and the width of the logic module 400 can be madeapproximately equal to the height and the width of the disc drive module300, and the upper stage and the middle stage of the casing 200 can bemade approximately equal to each other in the height and the width, asmentioned above.

The fan 500 sucks the air in the inner portion of the disc drive modules300 which are respectively received in the upper stage and the middlestage of the casing 200, and discharges the air to the outer portion ofthe drive unit 120. Accordingly, it is possible to discharge the heatgenerated from the disc drive 310 received in the disc drive module 300to the outer portion of the drive unit 120. In this case, the drive unit120 is provided with the air duct 210 in the inner portion of the casing200, and the air in the inner portion of the disc drive module 300received in the middle stage of the casing 200 is discharged to theouter portion of the drive unit 120 through the inner portion of the airduct 210 by the fan 500.

A description will be given of a cooling structure of the storageapparatus 100 in accordance with the present embodiment with referenceto FIGS. 17 to 24.

First, a description will be given of the cooling structure of theconventional storage apparatus 1100 with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18.FIG. 17 shows a cooling structure of the all-in-one unit 1130 of theconventional storage apparatus 1100. FIG. 18 shows a cooling structureof the drive unit 1120 of the conventional storage apparatus 1100.Arrows described in FIGS. 17 and 18 show a flow state of a cooling wind.The same matter is applied to the other drawings. The cooling structureof the control unit 1110 is the same as the cooling structure in thelogic portion 1420 and the power module 1900 of the all-in-one unit1130.

The all-in-one unit 1130 is structured such that the logic portion 1420,the logic module fan 1410, the power source module 1900, the battery1800 and the fan 1500 are received in the front face side, and the discdrive module 1300, the AC-BOX 1700, and the fan 1500 are received in therear face side.

The front face side of the all-in-one unit 1130 is cooled by dischargingthe air in the inner portion of the logic portion 1420 and the powersource module 1900 to the outer portion of the all-in-one unit 1130, bymeans of the fan 1500 and the logic module fan 1410. In other words, theair in the inner portion of the logic portion 1420 is sucked by thelogic module fan 1410, and is discharged to the outer portion of theall-in-one unit 1130 together with the air in the inner portion of thepower source module 1900 by the fan 1500.

The rear face side of the all-in-one unit 1130 is cooled by dischargingthe air in the inner portion of the disc drive module 1300 to the outerportion of the all-in-one unit 1130, by means of the fan 1500. In otherwords, the air in the inner portion of the disc drive module 1300 isdischarged to the outer portion of the all-in-one unit 1130 through thespace formed between the disc drive module 1300 and the logic module1400 or the power source module 1900 by the fan 1500, in the innerportion of the all-in-one unit casing 1220, as shown in FIG. 17.

The drive unit 1120 is cooled in the same manner as that of the rearface side of the all-in-one unit 1130, as shown in FIG. 18. In otherwords, the air in the inner portion of the disc drive module 1300 isdischarged to the outer portion through the space formed between thedisc drive module 1300 in the front face side and the disc drive module1300 in the rear face side by the fan 1500, in the inner portion of thedrive unit casing 1230, as shown in FIG. 18.

Next, a description will be given of a cooling structure of the storageapparatus 100 in accordance with the present embodiment with referenceto FIGS. 19 to 24. FIGS. 19 to 21 are views for explaining a coolingstructure of the control unit 110 or the all-in-one unit 130. FIG. 22 isa view for explaining a cooling structure of the drive unit 120.

The control unit 110 or the all-in-one unit 130 in accordance with thepresent embodiment is provided with the fan 500, the disc drive module300, the logic portion 420, the logic module fan 410, and the powersource portion (the DC power source 600, the AC-BOX 700 and the battery800). The control unit 110 and the all-in-one unit 130 are cooled bydischarging the air in the inner portion of the control unit 110 and theall-in-one unit 130 to the outer portion, by means of the fan 500 andthe logic module fan 410. At this time, it is desirable in view of animprovement of cooling efficiency that the air in the inner portion ofthe casing 200 is discharged to the outer portion as smooth as possible.In the control unit 110 and the all-in-one unit 130 in accordance withthe present embodiment, the disc drive module 300 is received in theupper stage, the logic module 400 is received in the middle stage, andthe power source portion is received in the lower stage. In the controlunit 110 and the all-in-one unit 130 in accordance with the presentembodiment, it is possible to improve an exhaust efficiency on the basisof the arrangement mentioned above.

In other words, as shown in FIG. 19, the disc drive module 300 receivedin the upper stage of the casing 200 is short in depth in comparisonwith the logic module 400 and the power source portion. Accordingly, inthe case that the disc drive module 300 is received in the casing, it ispossible to secure a large space formed between the disc drive module300 received in the front face side and the disc drive module 300received in the rear face side. Accordingly, it is possible to secure alarge ventilation path for the cooling wind sucked by the fan 500. Inother words, it is possible to efficiently discharge the air in theinner portion of the casing 200 to the outer portion.

Further, as shown in FIG. 19, the power source portion received in thelower stage of the casing 200 is long in depth in comparison with thedisc drive module 300 and the logic module 400. Accordingly, in the casethat the power source portion is received in the upper stage or themiddle stage of the casing 200, the ventilation path for the coolingwind is closed, however, in the control unit 110 and the all-in-one unit130 in accordance with the present embodiment, the ventilation path isnot closed by receiving the power source portion in the lower stage.

Further, the logic module 400 received in the middle stage of the casing200 is short in depth in comparison with the disc drive module 300received in the upper stage, however, is short in depth in comparisonwith the power source portion received in the lower stage. Accordingly,it is possible to secure the space for the ventilation path in themiddle stage while securing the large ventilation path in the upperstage of the casing 200 by receiving the logic module 400 in the middlestage of the casing 200. In this case, since the logic module 400 isstructured such that the logic module 400 can ventilate the inner sideof the module in a vertical direction, as is different from the discdrive module 300, it is possible to receive the logic module 400 in thefront face side and the logic module 400 in the rear face side in such amanner that the logic module 400 in the front face side and the logicmodule 400 in the rear face side are arranged close to each other in theinner portion of the casing 200, as shown in FIG. 19. In accordance withthe structure mentioned above, it is possible to efficiently feed theair in the inner portion of the power source portion and the logicmodule 400 which is sucked by the logic module fan 410, to theventilation path in the upper stage of the casing 200.

In the case that the cooling structure shown in FIG. 19 is employed, thecooling wind from the disc drive module 300 and the cooling wind fromthe logic module 400 flow together in the ventilation path in the upperstage of the casing 200. In the case that the flow of the cooling windgets out of order at a time when the cooling winds flow together, areduction in the exhaust efficiency is caused. Accordingly, FIG. 20 is aview showing a cooling structure for inhibiting the turbulence generatedat a time when the cooling winds flow together. In other words, as shownin FIG. 20, a rectifier fin 211 is arranged within the casing 200.Accordingly, it is possible to inhibit the turbulence of the coolingwind generated at a time when the cooling wind from the disc drivemodule 300 collides with the cooling wind from the logic module 400. Astate in which the rectifier fin 211 is arranged is shown in FIG. 23.

However, even in the case that the rectifier fin 211 is employed, thecooling wind from the disc drive module 300 and the cooling wind fromthe logic module 400 flow together in due course until reaching the fan500. A cooling structure shown in FIG. 21 is provided for the purpose ofpreventing the cooling wind from the disc drive module 300 and thecooling wind from the logic module 400 from flowing together so as tofurther increase the exhaust efficiency. In other words, as shown inFIG. 21, the air duct 210 is arranged in the inner portion of the casing200. A state in which the air duct 210 is arranged is shown in FIG. 24.By arranging the air duct 210 within the casing 200, the cooling windfrom the logic module 400 reaches the fan 500 through an inner portionof the air duct 210, and the cooling wind from the disc drive module 300reaches the fan 500 along an outer wall of the air duct 210.Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the cooling wind from the discdrive module 300 and the cooling wind from the logic module 400 fromflowing together. In accordance with the structure mentioned above, itis possible to further increase the exhaust efficiency of the controlunit 110 and the all-in-one unit 130. In this case, it is desirable toarrange the upper portion of the air duct 210 and the fan 500appropriately apart from each other without closely contact with eachother. This is because the suction force obtained by the fan 500 withrespect to the air in the inner portion of the air duct 210 becomes weakby the closely contact.

FIG. 22 shows the cooling structure in the drive unit 120 in accordancewith the present embodiment.

The cooling structure in the drive unit 120 is a structure provided withthe air duct 210 in the inner portion, in the same manner as the coolingstructure in the control unit 110 and the all-in-one unit 130 shown inFIG. 21. However, the cooling structure is different from the coolingstructure in the control unit 110 and the all-in-one unit 130, in apoint that the disc drive module 300 is received in the middle stage. Inthis case, the cooling wind from the disc drive module 300 in the middlestage is discharged to the outer portion of the drive unit 120 throughthe inner portion of the air duct 210. Further, the cooling wind fromthe disc drive module 300 in the upper stage is discharged to the outerportion of the drive unit 120 along the outer wall of the air duct 210.As mentioned above, in the drive unit 120, by arranging the air duct 210in the casing 200, it is possible to discharge the cooling wind from thedisc drive module 300 in the upper stage and the cooling wind from thedisc drive module 300 and the power source portion in the middle stageand the lower stage without flowing together. Accordingly, in the driveunit 120, it is possible to efficiently cool in the same manner as thecontrol unit 110 and the all-in-one unit 130.

As described above, in the storage apparatus in accordance with thepresent embodiment, it is possible to make the casing for structuringthe control unit, the drive unit and the all-in-one unit in common.Accordingly, it is possible to easily structure and change the storageapparatus in correspondence to the user's needs. Further, it is possibleto make the parts used at a time of manufacturing the storage apparatusin common and it is possible to easily manufacture and reduce the cost.

Further, since the power source portion is received in the lower portionof the casing, it is possible to remove a necessity of arranging thewiring for the ac power in the inner portion of the casing. Further,since the voltage of the dc power supplied from the power source portionto the logic module can be made one kind, it is possible to remove anecessity of arranging the wiring for supplying the dc powers having thedifferent voltages in the inner portion of the casing. Accordingly, itis possible to simplify the wire arranging within the casing, and it ispossible to easily manufacture, maintain and repair the storageapparatus and it is possible to improve a safety. Further, since it ispossible to make it hard to be exposed to the influence with respect tothe noise, it is possible to improve a reliability of the storageapparatus. Further, it is possible to reduce the kinds and the number ofthe bus bar used for supplying the power from the power source portionto the logic module, and it is possible to make the length short.Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the number of the partsconstituting the storage apparatus, and it is possible to achieve easymaintenance and repair of the storage apparatus and an improvement of anassembling operability.

The description is given above of the present embodiments, however, theembodiments mentioned above are provided for making the understanding ofthe present invention easy, and do not limit the present invention.

It should be further understood by those skilled in the art that theforegoing description has been made on embodiments of the invention andthat various changes and modifications may be made in the inventionwithout departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of theappended claims.

The present invention can provide the casing for the storage apparatusand the storage apparatus.

1. A casing for a storage apparatus comprising: a first receivingportion sized to receive a disc drive box in which a plurality of discdrives are received in a line, said first receiving portion beingapproximately equal in height and width to said disc drive box; and asecond receiving portion sized to alternatively receive either of a discdrive box or a control portion box in which a plurality of controlboards for executing a control relating to data input and outputprocesses with respect to said disc drives in said disc drive box insaid first receiving portion are received in a line, said secondreceiving portion being approximately equal in height and width to saidfirst receiving portion, said first receiving portion and said secondreceiving portion are structured such that even in the case that any ofsaid disc drive box and said control portion box is received in saidsecond receiving portion, a cooling wind passes from said received boxto said first receiving portion side.
 2. A casing for a storageapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said casing for the storageapparatus is provided with a third receiving portion sized to receive apower source portion for supplying an electric power to said controlboards and said disc drives, and said third receiving portion isprovided below said second receiving portion.
 3. A storage apparatuscomprising: a casing including: a first receiving portion for receivinga disc drive box in which a Plurality of disc drives are received in aline, said first receiving portion being approximately equal in heightand width to said disc drive box; a second receiving portion forreceiving a control portion box in which a Plurality of control boardsfor executing a control relating to data input and output processes withrespect to said disc drives are received in a line, said secondreceiving portion being approximately equal in height and width to saidfirst receiving portion; and a third receiving portion for receiving apower source portion for supplying an electric power to said controlboards and said disc drives, and said third receiving portion isprovided below said second receiving portion, said first receivingportion and said second receiving portion are structured such that evenin the case that any of said disc drive box and said control portion boxis received in said second receiving portion, a cooling wind passes fromsaid received box to said first receiving portion side a plurality ofsaid disc drives received in said disc drive box received in said firstreceiving portion; a plurality of said control boards received in saidcontrol portion box received in said second receiving portion; and saidpower source portion received in said third receiving portion.
 4. Astorage apparatus comprising: a plurality of casings, each casingincluding: a first receiving portion for receiving a disc drive box inwhich a Plurality of disc drives are received in a line, said firstreceiving portion being approximately equal in height and width to saiddisc drive box; a second receiving portion for receiving a controlportion box in which a Plurality of control boards for executing acontrol relating to data input and output processes with respect to saiddisc drives are received in a line, said second receiving portion beingapproximately equal in height and width to said first receiving portion;and a third receiving portion for receiving a power source portion forsupplying an electric power to said control boards and said disc drives,and said third receiving portion is provided below said second receivingportion, said first receiving portion and said second receiving portionare structured such that even in the case that any of said disc drivebox and said control portion box is received in said second receivingportion, a cooling wind passes from said received box to said firstreceiving portion side wherein in one of said casings for the storageapparatus, said disc drive box, in which a plurality of said disc drivesare received, is received in said first receiving portion; said controlportion box, in which a plurality of said control boards are received,is received in said second receiving portion; and said power sourceportion is received in said third receiving portion; and in another ofsaid casings for the storage apparatus, said disc drive box, in which aplurality of said disc drives are received is received, in each of saidfirst receiving portion and said second receiving portion; and saidpower source portion is received in said third receiving portion.
 5. Astorage apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the electric power tosaid control boards and said disc drives by said power source portion isa direct current electric power having a uniform rated voltage.
 6. Astorage apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the electric power tosaid control boards and said disc drives by said power source portion isa direct current electric power having a uniform rated voltage.
 7. Acasing for a storage apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprisingan air duct arranged within the first receiving portion, said air ducthaving an outwardly-flaring lower portion open to the second receivingportion and a substantially straight upper portion open at an endthereof opposite said outwardly-flaring lower portion.
 8. A storageapparatus as claimed in claim 3, further comprising an air duct arrangedwithin the first receiving portion, said air duct having anoutwardly-flaring lower portion open to the second receiving portion anda substantially straight upper portion open at an end thereof oppositesaid outwardly-flaring lower portion.
 9. A storage apparatus as claimedin claim 4, further comprising an air duct arranged within the firstreceiving portion, said air duct having an outwardly-flaring lowerportion open to the second receiving portion and a substantiallystraight upper portion open at an end thereof opposite saidoutwardly-flaring lower portion.
 10. A casing for a storage apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, further comprising: an air duct arranged within thefirst receiving portion to define an inner air flow path within the airduct and an outer air flow path outside the air duct and within thefirst receiving portion, said air duct having an outwardly-flaring lowerportion open to the second receiving portion and a substantiallystraight upper portion open at an end thereof opposite saidoutwardly-flaring lower portion; wherein said air duct is furtherarranged within said first receiving portion so that all air flowingfrom said second receiving portion into said first receiving portionflows into said air duct in said inner flow path substantially withoutcollision or turbulence with air flowing in said outer flow path outsidesaid air duct within said first receiving portion.
 11. A storageapparatus as claimed in claim 3, further comprising: an air ductarranged within the first receiving portion to define an inner air flowpath within the air duct and an outer air flow path outside the air ductand within the first receiving portion, said air duct having anoutwardly-flaring lower portion open to the second receiving portion anda substantially straight upper portion open at an end thereof oppositesaid outwardly-flaring lower portion; wherein said air duct is furtherarranged within said first receiving portion so that all air flowingfrom said second receiving portion into said first receiving portionflows into said air duct in said inner flow path substantially withoutcollision or turbulence with air flowing in said outer flow path outsidesaid air duct within said first receiving portion.
 12. A storageapparatus as claimed in claim 4, further comprising: an air ductarranged within the first receiving portion to define an inner air flowpath within the air duct and an outer air flow path outside the air ductand within the first receiving portion, said air duct having anoutwardly-flaring lower portion open to the second receiving portion anda substantially straight upper portion open at an end thereof oppositesaid outwardly-flaring lower portion; wherein said air duct is furtherarranged within said first receiving portion so that all air flowingfrom said second receiving portion into said first receiving portionflows into said air duct in said inner flow path substantially withoutcollision or turbulence with air flowing in said outer flow path outsidesaid air duct within said first receiving portion.
 13. A casing for astorage apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said air duct isfurther arranged in a central portion within said first receivingportion so as to provide for first and second disc drive boxes onopposite sides thereof, so that all air flowing from said secondreceiving portion into said first receiving portion between said firstand second disc drive boxes flows into said air duct in said inner flowpath substantially without collision or turbulence with air flowing insaid outer flow path outside said air duct within said first receivingportion.
 14. A storage apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein saidair duct is further arranged in a central portion within said firstreceiving portion so as to provide for first and second disc drive boxeson opposite sides thereof, so that all air flowing from said secondreceiving portion into said first receiving portion between said firstand second disc drive boxes flows into said air duct in said inner flowpath substantially without collision or turbulence with air flowing insaid outer flow path outside said air duct within said first receivingportion.
 15. A storage apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein saidair duct is further arranged in a central portion within said firstreceiving portion so as to provide for first and second disc drive boxeson opposite sides thereof, so that all air flowing from said secondreceiving portion into said first receiving portion between said firstand second disc drive boxes flows into said air duct in said inner flowpath substantially without collision or turbulence with air flowing insaid outer flow path outside said air duct within said first receivingportion.
 16. A casing for a storage apparatus as claimed in claim 7,wherein said air duct is above said second receiving portion.
 17. Astorage apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said air duct is abovesaid control boards.
 18. A storage apparatus as claimed in claim 9,wherein said air duct is above said control boards.